One of the reasons I'm able to write books and still carry on with other work is that I do my best writing between 5am and midday.

Our male-dominated culture tends to define success in terms of wealth, fame, power, the reaction of others. Women are fed a version that includes personal fulfilment through marriage and motherhood in addition to professional acclaim and of course we must look sexy but not too sexy and then graciously disappear when we hit middle age.

I've taken a certain a pride in all of my books. They devour so much time and energy that you have to engage deeply or you'd go mad.

It's not enough to vent about what you don't like on social media. I would ask everyone who can, men included, to get involved in an organisation actively working for gender equality.

The system isn't working for most people and never has worked for most women.

One of the reasons I'm able to write books and still carry on with other work is that I do my best writing between 5am and midday.

Writing a book is like running a marathon. You need to be fit to do it, mentally and, as far as possible, physically.